On Saturday, January 10,
1998, West Texas lost one of its greatest ladies. Virginia Lee Gay
Copeland, 75, passed away in the midst of participating in yet another of
her beloved community’s affairs. Virginia was born January 5, 1923 in
Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Alex Gay and Jennie McKissick Gay. She was
raised in Cherokee, texas, and graduated from Cherokee High School. A
graduate of Shannon Hospital School of Nursing, she worked as a registered
nurse for 35 years and served as director of Nursing in Sterling city.
Since moving Sterling City in 1945, she devoted her life to taking care of
her community. Virginia assisted with many births in Sterling county and
continued to have a positive impact on the health and lives of many in the
county even after her retirement from nursing. Virginia married John
Copeland, Jr., on January 12, 1945, and lived and ranched on the Divide in
Sterling county. John remained the love of her life for 53 years. The
center of her family’s life, she was an avid supporter of the activities
of her children and grandchildren. “Meme” to her grandchildren and their
friends, Virginia’s oven was always open to welcome them into her home.
Her care and concern will truly be missed along with all the good food so
livingly prepared and shared. She was a member of First United Methodist
church in Sterling City and was active in community activities. Virginia
enjoyed extensive travel with her many friends and family. Virginia was
proceeded in death by her parents and a brother, Lester Gay. Virginia is
survived by a daughter Janie Copeland Anderson, and son-in-law Roland
Anderson of Dallas, and a son John Gay Copeland, of Sterling city, Texas.
She is also survived by fine grandchildren, Christian gay Anderson and
Melissa Jan Anderson, both of Dallas and Amy Leigh Copeland, Jennifer
Kelley Copeland, and John Ross Copeland, all of Sterling city, she is also
survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Funeral
Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist church in
Sterling city with Dr. Shane Barnes officiating. Burial followed in
Montvale Cemetery. Arrangements were by Ross Funeral Home.